Wheel actuated roundabout toy



June 8, 1965 A. J. VlClNl WHEEL ACTUATED ROUNDABOUT TOY 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 19, 1962 INVEN'FOR Adberi Josgviz Vo'cb'rzb BY m m wg June 8, 1965 A. J. VlCl'Nl 61 WHEEL ACTUATED noummaoum TOY Filed March 19, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Alber Josgv/a l b'aiza' fZ m 9M2, Mam

A'ITORNE Y8 June 8, 1965 A. J. VlClNl 3,187,461

WHEEL ACTUATED ROUNDABOUT TOY Filed March 19, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR %m,am,m m TTORNEYS United States Patent 3,187,461 WHEEL ACTUATED ROUNDAEQUT T01 Albert Joseph Vicini, 3003 Dunbrin, Baltimore 22, Md. Filed Mar. 19, 1962, Ser. No. 181,591 3 Claims. (6!. 46-205) This invention relates to amusement devices and is particularly concerned with roundabout toys wherein a revolving platform is mounted on a Wagon, in which a drive connects the platform to the axle of the wagon to rotate it when the Wagon is moved with movable miniature figures actuated through rotation of the platform.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a roundabout toy of the character set forth wherein the revolving platform consists of inner and outer, oppositely rotating, concentrically arranged portions.

Numerous other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a toy embodying the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation, partly in section of the device shown in FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view along line 33, of the same device.

Referring to these drawings, the wagon 1 includes a longitudinally extending bed 2 provided with a circular opening substantially equal to the inner circular platform 3. Inner platform 3 is fixedly mounted on a vertical rotatable post or shaft 4 extending through the center of platform 3. The wagon bed 2 is attached to and carried by the upwardly extending supports 5 of the frame 6. Projecting downwardly from frame 6 are brackets 7 on opposite sides of the frame. An axle 8, journaled in brackets 7, carries wheels 9 at its outer ends, and a gear 10 between the wheels. These wheels and gear are keyed to the axle by pins or set screws as indicated at 9', 10. A second gear 11, mounted on the lower end of shaft 4 and keyed thereto by a pin or set screw 11', meshes with gear 10 on axle 8.

A second circular platform 12, concentric with platform 3, is rotatably mounted on sleeve 13, below the platform 3. Sleeve 13, which extends upwardly from frame 6 and may be integral therewith as shown, in turn surrounds shaft 4. A bearing washer, may be provided at the upper end of sleeve 13, if desired, to reduce friction. A split ring or other means, 16, is provided on shaft 4 to prevent upward displacement thereof so as to retain gears 11 and 10 in mesh.

The periphery of platform 12 rests upon the rim of one of the wheels 9, in frictional engagement therewith, so that as the latter turns, platform 12 is rotated. At the same time, upper platform 3 is rotated by means of shaft 4 and associated gearing 10, 11. It will be noted that shaft 4 and the several platforms are mounted slightly off-center, with respect to axle 8, so that platform 12 engages only one of the wheels 9. In the arrangement shown, platform 12 will rotate in a counterclockwise direction, while the other platform 3 will rotate in the opposite direction.

3,187,461 Eat tented June 8, 1965 Platform 12 is provided with an annular extension 14, projecting outwardly beyond and below inner platform 3, but slightly above the bed 2 of the wagon. Horses 17 or other suitable figures are mounted around extension 14 as shown, and similar figures 17' are mounted on platform 3, preferably facing in the direction of movement of the respective platforms.

Preferably, the toy is moved by means of the tongue 18, attached to the wagon frame in any suitable man ner. If desired, of course, it may be pulled across the fioor by a cord or other means.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that as the toy is propelled across the floor the two platforms will be rotated simultaneously, but in opposite directions. This in turn will increases the speed at which the figures on one platform approach and move past the figures on the other platform thereby greatly enhancing the overall apparent or relative speeds of the figures.

Numerous changes, of course, may be made in the details of construction without departing from the spirit of the invention. Thus, for example, other forms of gearing than the bevel gears 10, 11, may be. used. Alternately, a friction drive may be used in lieu of these gears. Likewise various construction materials, such as wood or metal, may be used for appropriate parts or the device may be made in whole or substantial part of plastic. it should be understood, therefore, that the foregoing disclosure relates only to a preferred embodiment of the invention and that numerous modifications or alterations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A toy of the type described comprising a frame, an axle journaled in said frame, a pair of wheels adapted to support said frame for translational movement, said wheels being mounted on said axle and rotatable therewith, a shaft aligned with said axle and extending vertically thereof, said shaft being rotatably supported by said frame, a first horizontal platform attached to the upper end of said shaft for rotation therewith, means for rotating said shaft upon rotation of said axle, a second horizontal platform concentric with said first platform, said second platform being supported by and in frictional engagement with one of said wheels whereby said second platform is rotated independently of said first platform.

2. A toy as set forth in claim 1 in which the first platform is circular and the second platform is annular.

3. A toy as set forth in claim 2 in which the two platforms are rotated in opposite directions.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,835,876 12/31 Jenkins 272-81 2,469,144 5/49 Baggot 46204X RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

DELBERT B. LOWE, Examiner. 

1. A TOY OF THE TYPE DESCRIBED COMPRISING A FRAME, AN AXLE JOURNALED IN SAID FRAME, A PAIR OF WHEELS ADAPTED TO SUPPORT SAID FRAME FOR TRANSLATIONAL MOVEMENT, SAID WHEELS BEING MOUNTED ON SAID AXLE AND ROTATABLE THEREWITH, A SHAFT ALIGNED WITH SAID AXLE AND EXTENDING VERTICALLY THEREOF, SAID SHAFT BEING ROTATABLY SUPPORTED BY SAID FRAME, A FIRST HORIZONTAL PLATFORM ATTACHED TO THE UPPER END OF SAID SHAFT FOR ROTATION THEREWITH, MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID SHAFT UPON ROTATION OF SAID AXLE, A SECOND HORIZONTAL PLATFORM CONCENTRIC WITH SAID FIRST PLATFORM, SAID SECOND PLATFORM BEING SUPPORTED BY SAID IN FRICTIONAL ENGAGEMENT WITH ONE OF SAID WHEELS WHEREBY SAID SECOND PLATFORM IS ROTATED INDEPENDENTLY OF SAID FIRST PLATFORM. 